Blanca is now a category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained
winds of 125mph with stronger gusts. The center lies 830 miles south southwest
of Cabo San Lucas and although the storm has stalled and is losing strength,
the forecast is for it to accelerate northwards tomorrow (Friday) and increase
in strength again slightly.
Blanca became the earliest-in-season second major (Cat 3 or stronger) hurricane on record in the eastern Pacific basin dating to 1971.
On average, this second major hurricane of the season occurs by Aug. 19, according to the National Hurricane Center.
"By the end of this week, the amount of energy achieved in two weeks in the eastern Pacific – Blanca and Andres – will likely exceed the amount of energy for the entire 2013 Atlantic Hurricane Season" said hurricane specialist Michael Lowry.
The positive news is, however, that current trends suggest
that the storm will lose its hurricane status late Saturday and should pass by
Los Cabos on Sunday as a tropical storm without making landfall. This could make
for a wet weekend but that is much better news than a Cat 3 hurricane!
The situation remains fluid however and we will continue to
publish updates as we get them.